In 1992, my 12-year-old daughter, Severn, stood before leaders at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, urging them to protect our planet. More than three decades later, we still find ourselves caught in endless discussions while fossil fuel consumption reaches alarming highs.
For 30 years, global leaders have gathered at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences, known as COP summits, making promises but failing to deliver real action. Each year, the consequences of climate change continue to escalate.
It’s easy to feel disillusioned. Recent COP meetings have been described as a “theatre of contradiction.” Many of these events were hosted by oil-producing nations and funded by industries that heavily pollute our environment. At COP28, the number of fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered some national delegations, with over 2,400 lobbyists present.
Despite grand statements about transitioning away from fossil fuels, many governments lean on “transitional fuels,” often justifying the expansion of natural gas projects. Canada, for example, has been criticized for this fuzzy language, allowing continued fossil fuel growth in the face of climate promises.
Looking ahead, COP30 in Belém, Brazil, could mark a turning point. If we empower those who safeguard the Amazon, including Indigenous leaders, we might shift the power dynamics at these talks. Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister, emphasized that society and science are doing their parts, but governments must take responsibility.
This conference is branded as a “Nature COP,” tackling climate, biodiversity, and land use in the world’s largest rainforest. In spring, 180 organizations wrote to COP30 leaders demanding a halt to oil and gas expansion. Following that, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights declared that governments are legally obligated to protect human rights amid the climate crisis.
The people in the Amazon are already facing dire consequences—long droughts and raging forest fires threaten their ecosystems and livelihoods. They have organized protests, calling for protection and a place at the negotiation table.
This year also marks a decade since the Paris Agreement, a pivotal achievement during COP21, which was meant to encourage ambitious climate targets. Yet, many nations have failed to meet these goals. Current global pledges are insufficient to keep warming below the critical threshold of 1.5°C.
Canada’s role in this situation is crucial. Prime Minister Mark Carney has focused on outcomes rather than setting specific greenhouse gas targets. However, results depend on clear goals and accountability. If Canada continues to support fossil fuel projects without tangible targets, the result may be more natural disasters and lost futures.
To genuinely address climate change, we must expedite the transition to renewable energy and reform our policies to prioritize climate action. Trade and investment agreements should not hinder this progress, and every budget line should align with a path toward decarbonization.
Indigenous leadership is vital in this journey. They have long protected our forests, and their insights can guide us toward sustainable solutions. True climate leadership at COP30 must commit to ending fossil fuel expansion, backing Indigenous-led transitions, and contributing fairly to global finance.
Despite its flaws, the COP process provides one of the few platforms for civil society, youth, scientists, and Indigenous leaders to confront power directly. We need collective action now more than ever, especially as authoritarianism rises and multilateral cooperation falters.
Let’s reclaim these forums, minimizing industry influence and placing human rights at the forefront. If COP30 can catalyze meaningful change, it may signal a new beginning in the fight for our planet.
Power must shift to those safeguarding our forests, while those benefiting from their destruction should bear the costs. It’s time to support the front-line movements that strive to protect our environment.
For additional information about climate action, visit the David Suzuki Foundation.
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amazon,authoritarianism,biodiversity,Brazil,Climate Change,COP30,Paris agreement
